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Are you familiar with the Rwandan Genocide of 1994? At its conclusion, militias were pushed over the border into the Congo, where they continued killing, raping, and terrorizing Congolese. They continue to this day along with the local militias: each group harms innocent Congolese civilians and blames them of conspiring with the other side.
- Chaos erupted into what has been termed "Africa's First World War", as rag-tag militias backed by 9 African governments roamed Congolese forests, terrorizing civilians.
- All countries involved use the war as a cover for looting coltan, diamonds, gold, and other precious resources from this mineral rich region, according to the United Nations. Other foreign countries have also profited greatly from the commandeering of Congo's resources.
- More hope than ever has arisen, with a peace treaty in 2003, and recent elections. We still look to the government to provide a descriptive plan of action.
- More than 4 million people have died. In 2004, the International Rescue Committee (Congo Global Action member) reported in their mortality survey that 38,000 continue to die every month, 1200 a day to preventable causes. A new report will be released soon.
- This is the equivalent of an Asian Tsunami every 6.5 months
- Or a September 11 every 2.5 days
- Half of these deaths are children under the age of 5 years.
- Women are targeted daily for gang rape, torture, and sexual slavery. There are many ties between the exploitation of land and resources and the exploitation of women.
- THIS IS THE DEADLIEST WAR SINCE WORLD WAR II.
- And yet we don't talk about the Congo. Never heard of this conflict? You aren't alone. Most people haven't. It receives almost no news coverage.
- The Congolese people think they are not worth the effort in the eyes of the world. "When 4 million people have died, and no one cares, we don't feel human anymore."- Jean Paul, Congolese man.
- We are raising awareness by advocating, fundraising, and mobilizing globally.
- Here's what we're asking:
- Support our efforts by donating directly to Congo Global Action or to any of our coalition members.
- Plan to attend the Congo Global Action Conference and Lobby Day in Washington, DC, November 11-13 2007 or lobby your congress members from home.
- Be active in your own community by holding an awareness event, like a book club reading of "King Leopold's Ghost."
- Contact us to receive a share copy of the UNOCHA's movie, "Humanitarian Cost of the Crisis in Congo," or CRS's movie, "D.R. Congo's Life or Death Transition" and return it to us so that others can discuss Congo's crisis!
We hope you will join the global coalition and share your own ideas in a coalition pillar committee. Have your voice heard for Congo.
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